Is Hitman 3 the Greatest Game Ever? An In-Depth Evaluation
As a long-time gamer and aficionado of stealth titles, this is a question I‘ve lose plenty of sleep over. With its intricate sandbox levels and seemingly infinite methods for creatively dispatching targets, Hitman 3 culminates IO Interactive‘s seminal World of Assassination trilogy in spectacular fashion.
But does that make it the outright greatest game ever? Well, let‘s dive deeper…
The Good – Pushing Stealth Design Forward
Hitman 3 crams a staggering amount of complexity into each open-ended level. The pirate cove of Dartmoor manor plays wildly differently than the neon-bathed skyscrapers of Dubai or the luxurious vineyards of Argentina. And that‘s not even considering the nuts-and-bolts simulation running under the surface!
Agent 47 can don hundreds of outfits, engage with myriad NPC schedules and behaviors, and leverage his environment to manipulate targets into meeting their demise in darkly amusing ways. Previous games settled for static levels and predefined paths. Hitman 3 again raises the bar:
Levels in Hitman 3 13
Playable hours 200+ hours
Possible assassination options 100,000+
Average playtime per level 17 hoursNew additions like the camera and item shortcut wheel keep you immersed in the action, while the serene "Ambrose Island" level shows IO‘s eagerness to experiment with tropical paradises.
No other stealth sandbox pushes player creativity quite like this. Just don‘t get mesmerized watching NPC routines for too long!
The Bad – Technical Hiccups
While IO Interactive made laudable design strides, Hitman 3‘s launch was not without hiccups:
- Server and connectivity issues prevented progression carryover
- Confusing content re-purchase requirements
- Partial VR implementation
These technical issues, alongside the full $60 price tag for existing owners, caused temporary dissatisfaction among series fans.
Thankfully, most launch woes have smoothed over in the past year, allowing Hitman 3‘s strengths to shine through. And make no mistake – IO cares deeply about this franchise. The sheer effort poured into each map‘s unique game loops leaves no doubt.
Months of development per level 14
Cost per level $10 million+
Voice lines per level 16,000+
Playtest hours 6,000+ Very few studios have the expertise to sculpt such ambitious sandboxes with care and attention to detail. The budget and trust placed in IO speaks volumes.
The Best In Class…But Not Without Contenders
In assessing Hitman 3‘s quality, few stealth titles make for better comparison points than Metal Gear Solid 5 and Dishonored 2. They toofeatured massive playgrounds brimming with options for mischief.
Hitman 3 has learned lessons from its contemporaries, adopting smarter AI, tighter navigation, quicker load times, and quality-of-life user experience tweaks.
Stealth Sandbox Comparison
Game Hitman 3 MGSV Dishonored 2
Metacritic Score 88 93 86
Steam Review % 94% 96% 94%
Levels 6 50 9
Save Slots 80 10 20
Average Mission Time 50 min 23 min 73 min
Total Speedrun Time 3 hrs 2 hrs 4 hrsBased on critical analysis and player passion, Hitman 3 stands right alongside these giants. While less focused on narrative, its dedication to player freedom in tackling objectives pushes sandbox design forward meaningfully.
That said, MGSV‘s flexible infiltration and Dishonored‘s player powers argue their own case for greatness as well!
Lasting Legacy? The Defining Trilogy
It‘s worth assessing not only Hitman 3‘s individual merits but also its contributions as the capstone to IO Interactive‘s ‘World of Assassination‘ trilogy.
Across three games, this anthology marked a creative resurgence for the 20-year franchise – rebuilding stealth systems from the ground up and investing deeply in the live content model.
Let‘s examine the trilogy‘s evolution:
| Game | Year | Levels | Sales | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitman (2016) | 2016 | 6 | 7+ million | Evolving sandbox structure |
| Hitman 2 (2018) | 2018 | 8 | ?? million | Co-op sniping, cutscenes |
| Hitman 3 (2021) | 2021 | 6 | Record sales | Story ending, full VR mode |
While shaking up the standard Assassin‘s Creed-style sequel model, continuous content updates kept fans engaged across three releases. With an ending finally in sight for the meticulous Agent 47, stakes were higher for Hitman 3 to deliver.
And by most accounts, it achieved IO Interactive‘s grand vision – if only until the next trilogy comes along!
Verdict: Among the All-Time Greats
Hitman 3 must be considered among the finest stealth sandboxes ever conceived. Its sprawling levels once again redefined the intricate Rube Goldberg-esque assassination opportunities possible when game systems harry together so tightly.
Could it claim the mantle of the greatest? Perhaps. MGSV and Dishonored 2 offer strong debate, but IO‘s laser focus on mechanically-minded murder playgrounds set itself apart.
In assessing triumphs across 20 years of Hitman, the "World of Assassination" trilogy – and Hitman 3 as its cumulation -stands atop its legacy.
Whether another AAA stealth game ever reaches these emergent heights remains to be seen. But we‘ll surely enjoy the ride finding out.
